Those Who Serve Change Direction

Our many military partners, military members and loved ones are diligently working to change the culture of mental health. We applaud and support their efforts and invite everyone to read and share their stories.

I am a female veteran, former military spouse, licensed professional counselor (LPC), nationally certified counselor (NCC), clinical provider (volunteer) for the Give an Hour organization, President of the Student Veteran…

Are you a Service Member, Veteran or Loved One?

We want to hear your story!

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Have you had a time in your life where you have struggled with mental health?

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What was helpful to you to heal or recover?

What have you done or do you do to take care of your emotional well-being?

What does mental health mean to you?

Did you reach out for help from someone you loved or a mental health professional? If not, why?

What advice would you give someone who is struggling with their mental health?

Share with us how serving in the military or supporting a loved one who has served has strengthened your mental health and wellness.

If you or a loved one served in the military, what do you believe are the most pressing mental health issues facing soldiers and their families?

Do you know the Five Signs of Emotional Suffering?

Have the Five Signs helped you identify when you or a loved one was struggling?

Do you know the Healthy Habits of Emotional Well-being?

Which Healthy Habit works best for you?

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By prioritizing the resilience of our members, it not only ensures their holistic health and well being, but directly translates into increased mission success.

Fmr. Chief David SchonbergANG Suicide Prevention Branch

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Recently at the Kansas State VFW State Convention a Post Commander stated that he wished he would have had The Campaign to Change Direction material on hand when he went on a recruiting mission to a National Guard unit two weeks prior. Upon his arrival at the unit, he learned that they had lost a member of their team to suicide the night before. He said if he had Change Direction material to hand out at that time it would have given him a way to talk about the situation with the Soldiers to help prevent something tragic from happening again. He took our materials with him so that he would have them to hand out and share with other VFW members, members of his community and military organizations that he visits.

A VFW Post Commander anecdote as told by a Campaign Liaison after she gave a presentation on the Campaign and the Five Signs at their summer convention

About the Campaign

The Campaign to Change Direction is a coalition of concerned citizens, nonprofit leaders, and leaders from the private sector who have come together to change the culture in America about mental health, mental illness, and wellness. Learn more